Overnight Open Thread

Hello, hello all M&Ms. Be sure and give to Ace - for just $3 you can be an official Ace of Spades Ranger or Ace of Spades Spear-Carrier of Athena for you moronette types. Who needs a tote bag with a title like that?

Fireworks!

It's the time of year when a young man's fancy turns to well, explosives and pyrotechnics. So here's a little article on the hows and whys of fireworks going boom and how they're made. Mostly it's done by family-based professionals but you amateur types can order a kit here and make your own or if you're old school, look for "Fireworks & Explosives Like Granddad Used to Make" somewhere on bittorrent. And if you're really into fireworks, they also make a perfect way to distribute your ashes.

Of course the first thing you have to do is get your hands on some decent pyrotechnics. So here's a state-by-state chart of the relevant fireworks laws. Of course even within a state county laws can differ and be much more strict. I remember having to beg and cajole my parents into driving the eight miles to nearest county line in Tennessee so I could convert my carefully saved allowance and lawn mowing money into Asian-made paper and gunpowder products. Which were soon completely destroyed. And yes Mom it WAS worth it.

Disclaimer: Okay seriously don't blow yourself or any loved ones up. And the usual AoSHQ release of liability applies - we don't know nothing about nothing nohow nowhen noway and we've never seen that person before in our lives. And yes officer, I would like to have an attorney now please.

Byrd Seat Special Election in 2010 May Happen
WV Secretary of State Natalie Tennant seems to have decided that state law does call for a special election to fill Senator Byrd's former seat this year. If it happens, the winner will have seniority over any newly elected senators elected on the same date.

For much of his long life, a man like the now canonized late Sen. Robert Byrd made the early lives of men like Justice Clarence Thomas miserable. Contrast the present eulogies for Byrd with the past Senate hearings over Thomas.

'Manos: The Hands of Fate' II: Torgo Returns
Yes a sequel to 'Manos: The Hands of Fate' - the worst film ever made - is in the works. It will take place 40 years after the original and will have some of the original cast and be filmed at some of the same El Paso locations. And yes Torgo will return. And there are even rumors that Bruce Campbell might make an appearance. If you're not familiar with Manos, well let's just say you better get yourself a copy of the classic MST3K version ASAP or the master will be displeased.

These morphs were then rated for attractiveness by 77 heterosexual male students. The men were three-and-a-half times as likely to pick the short-footed morph as more attractive, and almost 10 times as likely to say it was more feminine, Atkinson and Rowe found.